Raunds landmarks shine purple for pancreatic cancer awareness in memory of Tony

A Raunds widow's dream to light up landmarks purple to raise awareness of a cancer that claimed the life of one of the town's residents has been fulfilled.

Tony Lewis died from pancreatic cancer in July, aged 79, and his widow Linda arranged for St Peter's Church, Raunds Town Hall and Hair by John in High Street to take part in the Pancreatic Cancer Action's 'Turn It Purple' event.

On Thursday, November 19, the buildings were bathed in purple light joining dozens of others across the country including London's Canary Wharf and Ely Cathedral to highlight Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Linda, 76, said: "When I saw the lights it was quite emotional because I had put in the request because of my own experience.

"As the people of Raunds became aware of the event many comments were made on Facebook. It is very heartening to see the comments.

"Many people are affected by this cancer and I hope it has made people aware of the signs. Everyone is different and experience different symptoms.

"I think everyone knows their own body and any changes or unusual symptoms they should pursue investigations."

Father-of-two Tony was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on November 21 last year. He died on July 14.

The couple would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in September.

Linda said: "I wanted it to be for awareness. Pancreatic cancer is a very difficult cancer to diagnose.

"For many years he had tummy problems and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and that masked it and caused quite a few problems.

"Last year he was losing weight, lost his apetitite and started to complain of pains in his tummy and back.

"What happens quite often is it causes jaundice, but Tony didn't have that."

Linda, who has two children and two grand-daughters, wanted to raise awareness of and fundraise for charity Pancreatic Cancer Action who supported the family during Tony’s illness.

She added: "Pancreatic cancer doesn’t get the media coverage of other cancers and some of the symptoms we don’t like to talk about, but it is out there and unless diagnosed early can abruptly end a life.

"I would like to thank Raunds Town Council for responding to my request and Kate from the council for setting it up. Thank you to all the Raunds people for your lovely comments and support, and Pancreatic Cancer Action for being there for us over the past year and Pancreatic Cancer UK."

Pancreatic cancer is a cancer that's found anywhere in the pancreas - an organ in the top part of your tummy.

It helps you digest your food and makes hormones, such as insulin.

The signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer include pain in the tummy or back, losing weight without meaning to, indigestion, jaundice, and changes to bowel habits.

Pancreatic cancer is the UK’s fifth cause of cancer death. Over 9,000  people die of the disease annually across the UK, often within weeks of  diagnosis.  

For more information about the Turn It Purple event go to Pancreatic Cancer Action's website by clicking hereordonate by clicking here.